Have you ever felt an immediate love for a poem?

I've attended several temple marriages that were performed by Blayne Thomas, the man pictured below.
One in particular, several years ago, he quoted a poem during the ceremony.
It so resonated with me that later I found him in the temple hallway
and asked if he could tell me where I might find the words to that poem. 

Pictured with my niece Raven, and his wife Jan, last October. 

He sweetly invited me into his office and then sat down and from memory, 
wrote the poem out for me.
I treasure it.

"When Jesus is the carpenter a home is safe and strong.
It's built with care and happiness.
It's filled with love and song.

His joy is found in every room
Peace whispering through the halls
And He greatly blesses everyone
Who lives within its walls."

So beautiful, isn't it?

Blayne Thomas graduated from this life last Saturday morning. 
A few weeks before his death, he saw my Dad at church and from his wheelchair put up 2 fingers....
meaning he had about 2 weeks left.

(btw, He died this past Saturday, not in March as the article states) 
  His Memorial service will be this Saturday, if you'd like to attend. Details above.

I know it will be very special.

7 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

Sounds like he lived a wonderful life.

And I love the poem in all its simplicity. Just beautiful.

=)

Karen Mortensen said...

He was a great man. He was my bishop many years ago.

Becky Jane said...

He sounds like an awesome man that will be greeted by our Savior with open arms. Thanks for sharing his inspiring poem and story.

Susan Rozier said...

Blayne Thomas, one of the best men ever! It was a pure delight to know him. We love his family and pray for the Lord's peace to be with them. Love, Dick and Susan Rozier

Darlene said...

What a special man this Blayne Thomas was! I think it is particularly wonderful that he would take you into his office in the Temple and write this beautiful poem for you. No wonder you treasure it so much! He must have known you very well.

I did love the poem and will keep a copy of it for myself.

Thanks for posting about this exceptional man. He sounds like someone I would very much have liked to know.

Grandma Honey said...

Darlene~ Actually I didn't know him very well. He knew my name and I knew who he was, but that was about it. That's what made his taking the time for me so sweet. My family knew him a lot better than I did.

Linda said...

This picture of the Thomas' and your niece illustrates so well the life they lived. Both smiling as though they have no cares in the world, and Blayne holding your neice's hand....so typical. Blayne made everyone feel like he loved them "best". His friendship helped me tangibly feel the warmth of the Savior's love. He will be greatly missed.

Look what happened last night

  Just a little pre-graduating gathering for our DIL Amy.... Not everyday a Mom of 7 and a Grandma of 7, graduates from college. It was not ...